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STAX INFOS
page 7

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WARNER STAX 16 BITS CD REISSUES
(January 21st, 2001)

As stated earlier, Warner Music, distributor of Fantasy Records, has issued in several countries a mammoth series of no less than 20 CDs. They are or will be available in Germany, Benelux, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, Australia and Portugal. These CDs include multimedia sequences on several Stax artists and a 6 mn excerpt from the WattStax movie from 1973.

These CDs have been remastered in 24 bits instead of the usual 16 bits, giving a much wider dynamic range. The trebles are much clearer and sharper and the basses are really heavy, usually needing to lower the bass knob from its usual level.

In France, this batch of reissues received a warm applause from the press, including the biggest newspapers, especially as the Stax Story 4 CDs and the 3 CDs Johnnie Taylor box sets have been released at the same time..

The prices are lower than usual at less than FF100 (less than £10 or $14). Well done, Warner Music and Fantasy!

Let's wait now for the promised and much awaited 3 CDs boxset including the best singles' B sides, not yet released on CD, from the "blue" Stax period.

BOOKER T. & THE MG's VINYL REISSUES!
(December 23rd, 2000)

Incredible but true, Sundazed Records, specializing in vinyl reissues, have just released these 3 Booker T. & The MG's great original Stax LPs. Each album is an exact reproduction, with original artwork and track-listing intact, on 180 gram vinyl. Thanks for their great care for details as they wisely reproduced the very rare original cover (available for one year only) of the "In The Christmas Spirit" LP.

These 3 gems can be ordered from www.sundazed.com for $12.98 each.

A JOHNNIE TAYLOR 3 CDs BOX SET
(December 18th, 2000)

Bill Belmont's Fantasy label has again issued a great CD box set. These 3 CDs, complete with booklet and photos, span the whole career of the late Johnnie Taylor (65 tracks), from his Sar 45s to Malaco records, including of course his greatest period, Stax Records, with no less than 18 alternate or unissued takes. Once again, the Stax treasure chest has been opened by the Berkeley company for our greatest pleasure. Thanks a lot.

STAX 3-CD SET 3SCD-4432--2 - $40

DISC 1 - SAR RECORDS: I Dreamed That Heaven Was Like This / Heaven Is My Home (take 1) / The Love Of God (take 7 - previously unissued alternate) / Out On A Hill (take 1 - alt.) / Until Then (take 3 - alt.) / When The Gates Swing Open / Never, Never / Rome (Wasn't Built In a Day) / Dance What You Wanna / Baby, We've Got Love. BLUE STAX RECORDS: I Had A Dream / Easy Lovin' (previously unissued) / I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby / Just The One I've Been Looking For (take 7 - previously unissued alt.) / Part Time Love (take 2 - previously unissued alt.) / Sixteen Tons (take 6 - previously unissued alt.) / Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed / Blues In The Night (take 1 - previously unissued alt.). YELLOW STAX RECORDS: Save Your Love For Me (take 2 - previously unissued alt.) / I Need Lots Of Love (previously unissued) / You Can't Win With A Losing Hand (take 3 - previously unissued alt.) / Rumors / You Don't Know Like I Know (take 3 - previously unissued) / Twenty Years From Today (take 4 - previously unissued alt.) / Twenty Years From Today (take 7 - previously unissued alt.).

DISC 2 - BLUE STAX RECORDS: Little Bluebird / Toe Hold / That's Where It's At. YELLOW STAX RECORDS: I Ain't Particular / Woman Across The River / Who's Making Love / I'm Not The Same Person / I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water / Mr. Nobody Is Somebody Now / Take Care Of Your Homework / Testify (I Wonna) / Separation Line / I Could Never Be President / Love Bones / Steal Away / Steal Away (live - previously unissued) / I Am Somebody (parts 1 & 2) / Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone / I Don't Wanna Lose You (parts 1 & 2) / Don't Take My Sunshine / Hijackin' Love.

DISC 3 - YELLOW STAX RECORDS: Standing In For Jody - Doing My Own Thing (part 1) / Stop Doggin' Me / I Believe In You (You Believe In Me / Cheaper To Keep Her / We're Getting Careless With Our Love / Starting All Over Again / I've Been Born Again / It's September. CBS RECORDS:  Try Me Tonight / Free / Disco Lady / Running Out Of Lies. MALACO RECORDS:God Is Standing By / Play Something Pretty / Lady, My Whole World Is You / Lover Boy / Last Two Dollars / Soul Heaven.

Go to Johnnie Taylor special memory page

A GREAT DON COVAY REISSUE
(December 15th, 2000)

Mercy! (Atlantic SD 8104, stereo, published 1965):

Mercy, Mercy / I'll Be Satisfied / Come On In / Can't Stay Away / Can't Fight It Baby / You're Good For Me / Take This Hurt Off Me / Daddy Loves Baby / Come See About Me / You Must Believe In Me / Please Don't Let Me Know / Just Because.

See-Saw (Atlantic SD 8120, stereo, published 1966)

See-Saw / The Boomerang / Everything Gonna Be Everything / Fat Man / Precious You / Iron Out The Rough Spots / Please Do Something / I Never Get Enough Of Your Love / The Usual Place / A Woman's Love / Sookie Sookie.   

Koch Records have reissued two great Don Covay LPs licensed from Atlantic: Mercy! and See-Saw, complete with full page original covers' fronts and backs and even additional liner notes. The sound quality is alright and, of course, the Stax amateurs will be delighted to get the 4 fabulous Stax recorded tracks (underlined titles) from the See-Saw LP on a same CD. The Mercy! LP itself, though recorded in New York is really worth it too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WAYNE AND ANDREW
(november 20th, 2000)

An unusual photo of ex Mar-Keys Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson for a very unusual album. On first hearing, you are rather surprised as the style is so far from Otis Redding's or Albert King's horns riffs. Then, you find the usual wonderful sound and the perfect, unsurpassed blending of Wayne's trumpet and Andrew's sax. This year, Marie-Anne and I will open the Christmas presents with our beloved children and grand daughter at the sound of the Memphis Horns.

This CD proves that anything these guys record is absolutely perfect and always a delight for the ears. Thank you Wayne and Andrew for this nice Christmas present and keep your child's mind .Mine came back soon at hearing you. Thanks also for the vocal Christmas greetings on track 1.
 

A MEMPHIS HORNS CHRISTMAS CD
(november 14th, 2000)

The Memphis Horns
Wishing You A Merry Christmas

Did you ever dream of seeing Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson in a Santa Claus dress? Now, your dream is fulfilled! As Booker T. & The MG's did in their time, the Memphis Horns have issued a Christmas CD!

"Celebrate the season with this CD of traditional, Christmas classics colored with The Memphis Horns special brand of blues and jazz. Recorded in 1995 at Sam Phillips Studio in Memphis, this is a collection of twelve of our all time holiday favorites with a special introduction by Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love." The tracks are:

Caroling, Caroling / Santa Claus Is Coming To Town / Winter Wonderland / Green Sleeves / The Christmas Song / White Christmas / Blue Christmas / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Little Drummer Boy / Silver Bells /Silent Night / We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

$14.95 from www.sweetmedicine.com

A detailed review soon.

STAX T-SHIRTS AND CAPS
(november 6th, 2000)

I am often asked where to find Stax t-shirts and caps. Go to the Stax Shop page at www.soulsvilleusa.com for the above items. You can also order similar items from www.memphisguide.com or www.acerecords.co.uk in UK.

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